​**NOTE: NEW ZOOM MEETING LINK FOR SUMMER!

SPEAKERS: Sara Hamilton, Scientific Coordinator, The Oregon Kelp Alliance (https://www.oregonkelp.com/)

ABSTRACT:  While hidden from human eyes beneath the surface of the ocean, kelp forests cover nearly a quarter of the world's coastlines, harbor biodiverse ecosystems, and support a variety of fisheries and industries. Dr. Sara Hamilton, Scientific Coordinator for the Oregon Kelp Alliance, will introduce the audience to kelp forests and discuss why these marvelous underwater ecosystems are worth protecting. She'll explain the global context for kelp forests and why new efforts around restoration and protection have been spreading across the world over the past two decades. Zooming into the Oregon context, Dr. Hamilton will describe 100 + years of changes for Oregon's kelp forests and give recent updates on the current state of these ecosystems. Finally, she'll focus on what are Oregon's options for kelp forest restoration and protection in the face of climate change and how the Oregon Kelp Alliance is moving this critical work forward.